UPPER LAKE >> Parents, school leaders, and community members attended an awards ceremony Friday evening, Jan. 15, to honor the fourth and fifth grade students who successfully completed this year’s studies in Upper Lake Elementary School’s after school enrichment program, Show My Skills (SMS). This year’s studies were in public speaking.
The students presented one of the speeches that they had given at a competition the day before. The results of the competition were then announced, and trophies and certificates were given to the children. The trophies were donated by two local businesses: Tony and Jake’s North Shore Towing and Upper Lake Offroad.
In the category of Original Persuasive, Maisey Higgins took first place. Second place went to Dallas Rose Danser and Tia Wehinger took the third place award.
In Original Informative, first place went to Paris Klier, second place to Ruby Wurm, and third place to Taylar Minnis.
Paris Klier earned first place in Declamation Historical. Tristin Rhodes took second place, and third place went to Jade Woolley.
Maisey Higgins won first place in Declamation Humorous. No second or third place was awarded.
The teachers and students involved in SMS would like to thank the people who took time out of their busy schedules on Jan. 14, to be judges at the competition. They were: school board members Mel O’Meara, Claudine Pedroncelli, and Diane Plante; Parent Teachers Organization officers Sara Hodges-Sanchez and Kalyn Noble; Upper Lake High School students David Becerra-Lopez and Mercedes De Los Santos; Upper Lake Middle School principal Diane Johnson; and Record Bee editor Dave Faries.
Sixteen students gave speeches in four categories. Three sets of three judges each scored the students in three different rooms. One hundred forty third, fourth, and fifth graders were an enthusiastic audience for the speeches.
